Microstructure controlling of low density PMP foam films

SiO2 colloids were dispersed in hot poly-4-methyl-1-pentene (PMP) solution, and then the solution was coated on glass microscope slices by convective assembly method. PMP foam films compounded with SiO2 colloids template were formed through thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) and then they were eroded by hydrofluoric acid (HF) solution to obtain regular porous PMP foam films. The microstructures of PMP foam films compounded with SiO2 colloids template and regular porous PMP foam films were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that SiO2 colloids were arranged uniformly and regularly, and the PMP foam films eroded by HF solution had formed uniform and regular porous microstructure which replicated the microstructure of SiO2 colloids.